ABC raises nearly $17 million for hurricane relief

This image released by American Broadcasting Companies shows, from left, ABC News' Chris Cuomo, actor Tony Danza, actor Andre Braugher, Barbara Walters, Cynthia McFadden and David Novarro manning phones to take donations for victims of Hurricane Sandy during "Good Morning America," Monday, Nov. 5, 2012 in New York. Walters made a contribution of $250,000 to the American Red Cross and GMA co-host George Stephanopoulos followed suit with a donation for $50,000.(AP Photo/American Broadcasting Companies, Lou Rocco)

This image released by American Broadcasting Companies shows Barbara Walters answering a phone to take donations for victims of Hurricane Sandy during "Good Morning America," Monday, Nov. 5, 2012 in New York. Walters made a contribution of $250,000 to the American Red Cross and GMA co-host George Stephanopoulos followed suit with a donation for $50,000. (AP Photo/American Broadcasting Companies, Lou Rocco)

NEW YORK (AP) -- ABC says its national "Day of Giving" raised nearly $17 million for Superstorm Sandy relief.

Throughout its programming Monday, the network urged viewers to contribute to the American Red Cross to help victims of the storm, which affected several Northeastern states, but hit New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area particularly hard.

Appeals were aired all day on ABC programming, on Disney's syndicated shows and across other Disney-owned networks.

Advertisement

Major contributors include ABC personalities Barbara Walters, George Stephanopoulos and Mark Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks owner and star of ABC's "Shark Tank." The Samsung Corp. also made a major gift.

In addition, the Walt Disney Co. made a $1 million contribution to local charities.

NBC held a telethon Friday for storm victims that raised nearly $23 million.